New BMW 4-series cabrio scooped

These first spy pictures of the new BMW 4-series cabriolet in testing reveal that the retractable hard-top roof of the current 3-series cabrio will be retained.

There had been pressure from the US importer for the 4-series cabriolet to switch to a soft-top for greater visual differentiation over the coupe model, but BMW has instead decided to stick with the current hard-top.

Like its coupe sibling, the new 4-series cabriolet, codenamed F33 and due on sale in mid-2014, will ditch the 3-series badge to allow more distinct styling and more exclusive feel over the staple 3-series saloon and estate models.

There’s also likely to be a price hike, too, with engines coming from the higher-end of the new 3-series’ range and an increased level of equipment being offered.

There will also be an M version of the 4-series cabriolet, codenamed F33M. Like the 4-series coupe, this is likely to be badged M4 to create further distance between the M3 saloon and the M4 coupe and cabriolets. The adoption of the M4 badge for the coupe and cabriolet will also allow BMW to get the new M3 saloon to market earlier, with the two-doors not due until late 2014 at the earliest, at least a year after the M3.